Digital Design - Module 01 Semester 1, 2019 Mingjie Zhang 910787 Joel - Studio 21
Week One
Reading: Zeara Polo, A. 2010. Between Ideas and Matters.
According to Zeara-Polo, the diagram does not play a representational role in the design process but provides an organisational and can have a performative quality depending on how it is deployed. Explain how Diagram is different from Signs and Symbols? (100 words Maximum)
As Zaera-Polo suggests, the diagram is not meant to be a representational tool of the form and structure, it is mainly used as a symbolic gesture of the mass, space and functions. In Polo’s words, it is “a tool that describes relationships and prescribes performance space”. Diagrams should be visually clear and straightforward: it is essentially a summary of the design but not a detailed representation. Diagrams are different from signs and symbols in that the latter are simple and easily recognisable, even universal representation of a message/function. On the other hand, diagrams should be able to convey multiple outcomes, sometimes even as a mediate between the design concept and physical contructs.
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Week One
Precedent Analysis
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1. Underside of pavilion, isometric. 2. Pavilion in isometric view. 3. The conjunction of spheres in form-creation.
The modelling process primarily utilises the “Boolean difference� command in Rhino, which is subtracting a certain shape or form (in this case, the spheres) from the subject (the cuboid). The plan and sections clearly illustrate where the spheres are located; they are then created according to their coordinates and finally subtracted from the cuboid to form the Radix Pavilion. The interior ribs of the spheres are created by increasing the count of surface isocurves, which are then exported and mapped to the drawings.
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Week Two
Reading: Hertzberger H. 2005. The in-between and The Habitable Space Between Things, from Lessons for Students in Architecture. Herzberger discusses how design should not be extreme in its functionality. Use your precedent study to explain how the pavilion allows for an appropriation of use. (100 words Maximum)
The Radix Pavilion does not convey a traditional sense of appropriation of use. Its ciruclation and thresholds are determined by the nature of geometry, rather than by deliberate design. People may interpret its functions and usability in distinctly different ways through their angles of observations, locations, weather and time of day. In a way, its combination of angular and curvature surfaces are not artificial at all - its is one of the most natural use of space and volume, allowing for the continuity of ground and environment into its design language.
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Week Two
Isometric
Aires Mateus - Radix Pavilion Isometric #1 This isometric view is chosen to show the more intricate details formed by the conjunction of spheres. A set of different lineweights were used to distinguish separate elements, where the outline is the heaviest and the interior riblines are the thinnest, and dashed to represent being on the inside. A slightly thicker line is used to represent the openings on the side of the cube as well as the ridges on the inside. Surfaces that are visible in this view are given subtle shades, whereas the points of contact to the ground are set to dark grey, suggesting a lack of permeability. A human figure is added for a sense of scale, and perhaps a sense of how circulation will be performed both outside and within the pavilion.
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Week Two
Isometric
Aires Mateus - Radix Pavilion Isometric #2 This isometric drawing illustrates the underside of the pavilion as if it is flipped over. A subtle shade of gradiant is applied to the interior to represent a difference in material as well as the curvature of form. Riblines are drawn to reinforce the idea that spheres are used in the creation of this form. This concept is furthered with the addition of the outline of the spheres in red dashed lines. The central design concept of Radix Pavilion is perhaps creating complex forms with simple geometry - the dynamic between these two aspects is most evident during the modelling process, where thresholds and circulation paths are created through pure subtraction of mass.
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Week Two Diagrams
Circulation Diagram
Threshold Diagram
The circulation paths are illustrated as arrowed lines. As the pavilion is built on the edge of water, entrance is limited to the sides with larger arrows. The interior is separated into two volumns by the ridges, with almost no circulation in between. The heatmap represents ceiling height - which suggests where people are likely to stay.
This two-part diagram explains two aspects of threshold. The centre diagram represents the accessible and inaccessible space through colours (dark grey as the footprint); the bottom diagram adds textures to represent the context of this pavilion, with gradient opals covering the “in-between� spaces.
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Appendix
Process
Form finding Preliminary form finding after setting objects coordinates. Using “technical� view mode to see intersection of objects and how they join to create the desired form.
Model creation This view shows the intersection of spheres with the help of shades. They are then subtracted from the cuboid to form the pavilion.
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Diagram The model is translated to lineworks in Illustrator. By using different lineweights and dashed lines, the drawing is made to have a cleaner representation of the form and how it was created.
Appendix
Process
Aires Mateus - Radix Pavilion 2012
Week 1 Iso & Diagrams Correction 1. Drawings are not to scale. Isometric drawings are proportionally smaller to the actual measurements and the drawings done in week 1 were over-sized. They are corrected to the scale they are meant to be at.
Mingjie Zhang 910787
2. Lack of shading in one of the isometric drawings - the wireframe is slightly confusing to look at, therefore some subtle shading is added to better represent the form, and the difference in material used. 3. Lineweights are generally too thick - they are toned down to a more proportionate level. Isometric 1:50 0
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3000mm
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5. Dashed lines are used more consistently in the diagrams to represent the separation of layers; colours and transparency is also adjusted to be more consistent.
Pavilion
Water Body
Accessible space
Inaccessible space
Circulation 1:100
4. Diagrams are too similar and single - layered. Circulation diagram is adjusted to have 3 layers, adding directional arrows to demonstrate movement. Threshold diagram is given some materiality and some gradients to show the in-between spaces.
Thresholds (Permeability) 1:100
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